1.) Why Rizal Is the National Hero- Dr. Jose Rizal is undoubtedly a conscious hero in a sense that it is clear in any of his writings that he planned his entire life meticulously, even until death. Many say that his physical anomalies are to compensate for his unparalleled intellectual gifts. He was so brilliant, that he fought for us through the most peaceful means.
2.) Rizal Sired Hitler-Many question whether Adolf Hitler is the son of Jose Rizal just because he had a German connection and a night with an Austrian woman. The accusations are bogus, given the fact that Rizal left Germany and visited Austria in 1887, and Adolf Hitler was born on 1897. Moreover, it is highly improbable Hitler was a delayed baby.
3.) Rizal and Leonor Rivera’s secret affair- Leonor Rivera, Rizal’s past lover, was forced by her mother to break their engagement and marry an English engineer. They wrote a lot to each other in the most discreet way. Their true love story remains unveiled.
4.) The Hero as Teacher- Dr. Jose Rizal once quoted “On this battlefield man has no better weapon than his intelligence, no other force but his heart.” Rizal valued education and he made his nephews write so he could correct any mistakes, to the point that even when he wrote to his nephews, he’d teach them new things. He encourages us Filipinos to study.
5.) The Death of Jose Rizal- Rizal was very serene when he was walking towards his exile on December 30, 1986. He was very pale from not eating, but he still managed to smile at people and even crack jokes. Before he was killed, he refused to be blindfolded, and to kneel, and asked that they spare his head. He held his head high even until the last minute. He was shot in the back towards his heart, and his last words were that of a crucified Christ, “It is done”. There are many stories about Rizal. First, why he is our national hero, for me, is unquestionable. He is extraordinary not only physically but also in terms of intellectual ability. He fought our oppressors without a sword and that in itself is sheer genius.
Second, the rumor about Hitler being Rizal’s son is ridiculous and without evidence. Sometimes, people tend to find ways to make stories of big personalities more controversial for entertainment, and for me, that’s why such accusation was made. Third, I am very much curious about the love story of Leonor Rivera And Rizal. Just like celebrities, everyone wants to know about the hero’s personal life especially when it comes to love. Although the full love story is unveiled, I believe that maybe it is best to keep it not fully known to the masses.
Fourth, Rizal is not just a hero, he is a teacher as well. He sees education as a very strong asset that can be used for the betterment of the nation. He loved imparting his intelligence for the better. Lastly, his death was one he was unafraid of, because for him, dying for one’s country is not a wasted life. He is willing to go to any extent just for our nation. What more could one ask from a hero? One would never know which of them are truths and which of them are just rumors. Sometimes the truth finds a way of getting lost, and lies flaunt to be found.
But no matter what people, whether historians, advocates or enemies of Rizal are saying, I will hold firm to my conclusion about Rizal: 1.) Rizal is not an ordinary human being because his intellectual capacity is limitless; 2.) No matter what mistakes he made, he always loved our country and was even willing to die for it; 3.) He always deemed education to be a powerful tool, and he used what he knew for the betterment of our country. 4.) He is not a perfect person and he had some downsides, but to me, he will always be our national hero.
